9 Desserts Better Than Apple Pie

There will always be something satisfying about putting your blood, sweat, and tears into making a beautiful apple pie with its filling oozing ever so slightly through the latticed crust. But there’s also something to be said for mixing things up and going the nontraditional (and often easier) route.

Don’t worry, these recipes—from baked to fried to smoothied—are just about as American as apple pie. Which means you’ll like them just as much… if not more so

There will always be something satisfying about putting your blood, sweat, and tears into making a beautiful apple pie with its filling oozing ever so slightly through the latticed crust. But there’s also something to be said for mixing things up and going the nontraditional (and often easier) route.

Don’t worry, these recipes—from baked to fried to smoothied—are just about as American as apple pie. Which means you’ll like them just as much… if not more so!

We’re not going to try and create the illusion that these are an especially healthy snack (they’re fried after all), but as cheat dayindulgences go, you could do a lot worse. And with such a short and sweet ingredient list (just apples, corn starch, sugar, cinnamon, oil, and whipped cream), it’s the perfect treat for a brisk day.

Move over bread bowls, apples are the perfect edible vessel—for dessert, at least. Core the fruit and fill them with a mixture of oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and molasses. If you’re trying to stay on the healthy side (or just avoid a sugar rush), skip the whipped cream and caramel sauce topping. But the main ingredient is an apple, so we say, live a little!

We’re cheating a little here because these guys call for apple butter, which was technically an apple in a past life, but we’re betting no one can stay mad at these easy, no-bake bites. With four common ingredients and 30 minutes to chill in the refrigerator, you’ll be enjoying these sweet treats in no time.

This rustic treat is screaming to be Instagrammed, especially if you catch the apple filling seeping out. These dumplings feature cinnamon and nutmeg, the favorite flavors of fall. The recipe calls for store-bought piecrust, but it’s worth considering the homemade variety—it isn’t as hard to make as you think, and you’ll avoid all those processed ingredients.

Healthy, delicious, and portable—we’ve heard enough. Both savory and sweet, these quinoa bites are great anytime of day and they come with a decent dose of protein, so they’ll stay with you longer than a bag of chips would. Plus, with not too much sugar and a quick prep time, the real questions is: Why aren’t you in the kitchen whipping these up yet?

Continuing along the protein train, this vegetarian option is great for people who want apples and want them now (well, in five minutes). Creamy, sweet, and gluten-free, this smoothie checks all the boxes. We also love that the ingredient couldn’t be simpler: It takes the usual suspects (almond milk, banana, and Greek yogurt) and adds apples and fall spices to the mix.

Oh, man. Clicking through would be worthwhile just to check out this recipe’s photos of gooey, cinnamon-y apples topped with a perfectly latticed crust. Best of all? The recipe only calls for half a cup of sugar, which makes these treats an even sweeter deal.

Are you the type of person who orders a burger without the bun or asks for dressing on the side? This is the apple dessert for you. It’s basically apple pie filling in a bowl, and it couldn’t be easier. Mix four ingredients, microwave for two minutes, and you’ve got a finger-licking-good snack.

We’re so happy someone thought, “What if we could make apple pie single-serving and portable?” Because luckily for us, they shared this recipe for seriously delicious, croissant-like treats that hide an apple slice (and warming spices) inside. We advocate using homemade dough or puff pastry rather than the store-bought dough to make them healthier.